* Villages in [[Dartmoor]] and [[Exmoor]] will be found on the pertinent pages.

==Other destinations==

==Other destinations==

Line 44:

Line 47:

*The island of [[Lundy]]

*The island of [[Lundy]]

*'''[[Dartmoor]] National Park,''' a huge area of moorland occupying much of the centre of the county.

*'''[[Dartmoor]] National Park,''' a huge area of moorland occupying much of the centre of the county.

+

*[[Exmoor National Park]] - whereas two thirds of this is in [[Somerset]]. the part in Devon contains some great scenery.

==Understand==

==Understand==

−

The name "Devon" derives from the Celtic people who inhabited the southwest of Britain at the time of the Roman invasion, the ''Dumnonii''. Devon's flag is green, with a black and white cross.

The name "Devon" derives from the Celtic people who inhabited the southwest of Britain at the time of the Roman invasion, the ''Dumnonii''. Devon's flag is green, with a black and white cross.

Line 52:

Line 55:

Devon has the highest coastline in southern England and [[Wales]] on it's Exmoor

Devon has the highest coastline in southern England and [[Wales]] on it's Exmoor

−

seaboard. The "hob-backed" hills of the exmoor national park tumble down to

+

seaboard. The "hob-backed" hills of the Exmoor national park tumble down to

the coast on Devon's Bristol Channel coast, culminating at the awesome

the coast on Devon's Bristol Channel coast, culminating at the awesome

−

"Great Hangman", a 1043ft hill with a cliff-face of 820 foot, while the

+

"Great Hangman", a 318m (1043ft) hill with a cliff-face of 250m (820ft), while the

−

"Little Hangman" has a cliff-face of 716 foot. The best way to see these

+

"Little Hangman" has a cliff-face of 218m (716ft). The best way to see these

−

cliffs is from a boat trip from [[Ilfracombe]] or (occcassionally) [[Lynmouth]]

+

cliffs is from a boat trip from [[Ilfracombe]] or (occasionally) [[Lynmouth]]

−

or [[Swansea]]; the ferry sevice from Penarth in [[South Wales]] to Ilfracombe also

+

or [[Swansea]]; the ferry service from Penarth in [[South Wales]] to Ilfracombe also

passes by this massive coastline (see below).

passes by this massive coastline (see below).

Devon's Hartland point is the south-west limit of the Bristol Channel; in other

Devon's Hartland point is the south-west limit of the Bristol Channel; in other

−

words where the Bristol Channel meets the atlantic ocean. The northern

+

words where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic ocean. The northern

−

limit is St Anne's Head in [[Pembrokeshire]], forty-eight miles from Hartland

+

limit is St Anne's Head in [[Pembrokeshire]], forty-eight miles from Hartland Point.

−

Point.

+

+

Many of the rocks that make up Devon are exceptional geological specimens consisting of the geological period between 416 million years ago and 360 million years ago. It was in homage to this that the period was called the Devonian.

+

+

Devon is unique in that it surrounded by three of the Celtic nations - [[Wales]] to the north across the Bristol Channel/Celtic Sea, [[Cornwall]] West across the Tamar Valley, while [[Brittany]] lies due south across the English Channel/Atlantic Ocean. Although not a Celtic nation in its own right, Devon netherless shares many similarities with its Celtic neighbours; Exmoor/North Devon has the same reddish-brown sandstone as found in the nearby [[Gower Peninsula]]; the granite of [[Dartmoor]] is exactly the same as found in Bodmin Moor and the Penwyth peninsula while the extrusive igneous rocks of South Devon can exactly be found in Brittany - probably because, before at one time Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Brittany and South-West Ireland were part of the same landmass. In 2007, BBC "Coast" presenter Neil Oliver travelled to Devon and Cornwall for DNA testing of West Country lineage and found that - overwhelmingly- that both Cornish and Devonians were of ancient British/Celtic stock. Like its neighbours in Wales, Ireland and Cornwall, Devon was not fully conquered by the Romans - the leigons established a dwelling in [[Exeter]], most likely as a frontier post - but the rest of Devon was relatively untouched by the might of [[Rome]] - the wet, boggy moorland of [[Exmoor]] and [[Dartmoor]] no doubt providing an excellent barrier to the Roman war machine. This probably explains why the ancient Celtic DNA of Devon (and Cornwall) survives. Another Celtic connection is the fact, until the 20th century, the best way to travel was by sea - so, for example, it was easier for the population of North Devon to sail to the [[Vale of Glamorgan]]/ [[Swansea]] and the [[Gower Peninsula]] than to travel the dangerous, bandit ridden country lanes eastwards to Somerset and Dorset - likewise, South Devon had strong links to Brittany and South Cornwall yet the rest of Southern england, was, until the arrival of the railway/car, a distant place. Another "Celtic" connection is North Devon's surf culture found in Bideford Bay - like Ireland, Cornwall, Wales and Ireland surfing has becomne something of a cult lifestyle of the wind swept butterscotch beaches of Bideford Bay.

−

Many of the rocks that make up Deveon are exceptional specimens of a geological Era, in homage to this, the geological period is called the 'Devonian', between 416 million years ago and 360 million years ago; Devon's Geological Sites include:

*Exceter Castle is an old volcano (volcanic rocks were used in the construction of the Roman buildings) and there are fine exposures of Limestone in Torquay

+

*Exeter Castle is situated on an old volcano (volcanic rocks were used in the construction of the Roman buildings) and there are fine exposures of Limestone in Torquay.

+

+

Along with its nearby neighbours of North Cornwall and the Gower Peninsula, North Devon's magnificently curved Bideford Bay is one the top surfing attractions in the UK, mainly because just like Cornwall and Gower, Bideford Bay faces westward into the vast Atlantic Ocean. The main surf areas are the white-sand beaches of Woolacombe, Putsborough, Croyde, Staunton and Westward Ho! Croyde in particular is rated as one of the best breaks in the West Country, as at low tide it boasts fast, hollow waves - just like Fistral or Langland's Bay Crab Island. Be warned however - in the summer Croyde gets extremely congested (both beach and village) and the car parking prices can seem unreasonable in the extreme. Fortunately, nearby Woolacombe and Staunton offer plenty of parking spaces and beach space.

The larger towns and cities in Devon have small but developing lesbian and gay communities, notably in Plymouth, Torquay and Exeter. Plymouth and Exeter have annual Pride events. In the more rural areas of Devon homophobia can be common and discretion is advised.

The larger towns and cities in Devon have small but developing lesbian and gay communities, notably in Plymouth, Torquay and Exeter. Plymouth and Exeter have annual Pride events. In the more rural areas of Devon homophobia can be common and discretion is advised.

−

The Devon County Council Site [http://www.devon.gov.uk/geology.htm/] has more information on Geological Tourism

+

The Devon County Council Site [http://www.devon.gov.uk/geology.htm] has more information on Geological Tourism

==Get in==

==Get in==

Line 82:

Line 90:

If visiting from the south, the railway line between [[London]] (Waterloo) and [[Exeter]] via [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] will transport you into east Devon, with connections with other parts of Devon at [[Exeter]] (St Davids station).

If visiting from the south, the railway line between [[London]] (Waterloo) and [[Exeter]] via [[Salisbury (England)|Salisbury]] will transport you into east Devon, with connections with other parts of Devon at [[Exeter]] (St Davids station).

−

If visiting from [[Somerset (England)|Somerset]] and places north of [[London]] and [[Bristol]], the Great Western Main Line will take you to Tiverton Parkway station (a few miles away from [[Tiverton]] itself) and then to [[Exeter]]. It will then carry on to [[Newton Abbot]] (where the line to [[Torquay]] and [[Paignton]] diverges from the main line) to [[Plymouth (England)|Plymouth]] and then to [[Cornwall]].

+

If visiting from [[Somerset (England)|Somerset]] and places north of [[London]] and [[Bristol]], the Great Western Main Line will take you to Tiverton Parkway station (a short drive from [[Tiverton]] itself) and then to [[Exeter]]. It will then carry on to [[Newton Abbot]] (where the line to [[Torquay]] and [[Paignton]] diverges from the main line) to [[Plymouth (England)|Plymouth]] and then to [[Cornwall]].

===By road===

===By road===

+

The M5 is the only motorway to enter Devon. Coming from Bristol from the north-east, it terminates in Exeter, where it continues on as the A38 towards Plymouth and into Cornwal. It also branches off north at Exeter onto the A30 which serves North Devon via Okehampton and then carries on into Cornwall.

−

The M5 is the only motorway to enter Devon. Coming from Bristol to the north-east, it terminates in Exeter, where it splits into the A30 and the A38.

+

The M5 can get very congested during the popular holiday periods and it only takes an accident to bring the whole route to a standstill. If you are travelling to Devon by car it is recommended that you travel either early in the morning or later at night to avoid the holiday build up.

There is a once-daily Megabus service to Exeter from London Victoria (and vice versa,) but this ultra-economy service can be very uncomfortable and very late.

There is a once-daily Megabus service to Exeter from London Victoria (and vice versa,) but this ultra-economy service can be very uncomfortable and very late.

Line 93:

Line 102:

===By boat===

===By boat===

−

It is possible to travel to [[Ilfracombe]] in North Devon from Penarth and [[Swansea]] in [[South Wales]] on the paddle steamers Waverly and Balmoral. The Penarth to Ilfracombe journey is particularly scenic, as you also get to see the picturesque towns of [[Lynton]], [[Lynmouth]], the "Valley of the Rocks" and the awesome Great Hangman (the highest cliff in Devon at 1043ft). Leisurely traveling to Devon on a paddle steamer is certainly superior to driving there on the often congested M5!!! There is also a strong possibility of a fast catermaran Ilfracombe ferry [http://distributedresearch.net/blog/2007/07/10/ferry-between-ilfracombe-and-swansea-minehead-and-penarth-by-2008] to Swansea in a year or two's time.

+

It is possible to travel to [[Ilfracombe]] in North Devon from Penarth and [[Swansea]] in [[South Wales]] on the paddle steamers Waverly and Balmoral. The Penarth to Ilfracombe journey is particularly scenic, as you also get to see the picturesque towns of [[Lynton]], [[Lynmouth]], the "Valley of the Rocks" and the awesome Great Hangman (the highest cliff in Devon at 318m). Leisurely traveling to Devon on a paddle steamer is certainly superior to driving there on the often congested M5!!! There is also a strong possibility of a fast catermaran Ilfracombe ferry [http://distributedresearch.net/blog/2007/07/10/ferry-between-ilfracombe-and-swansea-minehead-and-penarth-by-2008] to Swansea in a year or two's time.

===By plane===

===By plane===

−

There is one (small) international airport in Devon, Exeter International (http://www.exeter-airport.co.uk). Regional flights from Gatwick, Mancherster, Leeds and Bristol also go to Plymouth Airport (http://www.plymouthairport.com).

+

There are two principal airports in Devon.

+

+

*'''Exeter International''', is the largest airport in Devon and has regular scheduled direct flights to Paris CDG, Amsterdam, Manchester, Dublin, Aberdeen, Leeds Bradford, Belfast, Jersey, Guernsey, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Glasgow as well as charter and scheduled services to Spain. There are seasonal services from Germany, Croatia, Switzerland and regional cities in France. Most services are operated by Flybe [http://www.flybe.com/] with Air France [http://www.airfrance.co.uk] codesharing on services from France. Air Transat [http://www.airtransat.co.uk/en/] also operates a scheduled service to Toronto, Canada. [http://www.exeter-airport.co.uk/]

*'''The cream tea''', involving scones, jam and clotted cream, is a local speciality which is thought to have originated from Tavistock over a thousand years ago [http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/news_features/2004/tavistock_cream_tea.shtml](although neighbouring counties also claim it); in many countries, however, this combination is known as '''Devonshire Tea'''. It is also popular in Cornwall with the only real difference being the order in which it is spread. In Devon the preferred method is cream first then the jam, whereas in Cornwall it is the other way around [http://bakingforbritain.blogspot.com/2006/07/scones-cream-and-jam-west-country.html]

−

The '''cream tea''', involving scones, jam and clotted cream, is a local speciality and may well have originated in Devon (although neighbouring counties also claim it); in many countries, however, this combination is known as '''Devonshire Tea'''.

+

*'''The pasty''', a filled pastry case differing from a pie in that it is made by placing the filling on a flat pastry shape, usually a circle, and folding it to wrap the filling, crimping the edge to form a seal. The result is a raised semicircular package. The traditional pasty is filled with beef, sliced potato, turnip or swede (also known as a rutabaga) and onion and then baked. The origins of the pasty are hotly contested between Devon and Cornwall with both sides claiming the fame. Either way, the pasty is a traditional West Country recipe and is worth trying if you are visiting.

+

+

*'''South Devon Crab''' is regarded as some of the best in the world and its stocks are plentiful and sustainably fished. There are plenty of fantastic restaurants, cafes and pubs to try this local produce.

+

+

A useful foodies site for Devon is located here [http://www.lovetheflavour.co.uk/]

==Drink==

==Drink==

+

*'''Cider'''- Really traditional Devon scrumpy (scrumpy being the name for farm cider) looks like bright orange juice with bits of apple floating in it. It is made using Devon apples, cider mills and cider presses. Traditionally, scrumpy was made using the wind fall apples. They would be bruised, and not suitable for eating or cooking. However a windfall apple is just right for scrumpy, they would not be quite ripe, so would be sharper and drier. They would have impurities from the ground, which helped fermentation. Scrumpy tends to be quite strong in alcohol and requires a certain degree of caution if you aren't used to drinking it (it can act as a laxative).

+

+

*'''Beer''' - Devon is very well served for microbreweries with 29 breweries that were active in the county. The Campaign for Real Ale or CAMRA has details of Devon breweries. [http://www.southdevoncamra.com/breweries.html]

+

+

*'''Gin''' - Plymouth Original Strength Gin is 41.2% alcohol by volume. It has a distinctively different, slightly less dry flavour than the much more commonly available London Dry Gin, as it contains a higher than usual proportion of root ingredients, which bring a more 'earthy' feel to the gin, as well as a smoother juniper hit. There is also a 'navy strength' variety available which is 57% alcohol by volume (100° English proof), being the traditional strength demanded by the British Royal Navy as this was the proof that would not prevent gunpowder from igniting, should it be compromised by spilled spirit

Devon is a very safe place to live and visit. Crime levels are well below the average for England, this is in part a reflection of Devon's rural population distribution.

+

Devon is a very safe place to live and visit. Crime levels are well below the average for England in part a reflection of Devon's rural population distribution.

==Get out==

==Get out==

Revision as of 21:59, 24 November 2012

Devon[4] (also known, far less commonly, as "Devonshire") is a large county in England'sWest Country, bordered to the west by Cornwall and to the east by Dorset and Somerset. Uniquely amongst English counties, Devon has two separate coastlines: to the south, on the English Channel and to the north, on the Irish Sea and Bristol Channel. These are studded with resort towns, harbours and (more recently) surfing beaches. Devon is also home to two National Parks - Dartmoor and Exmoor* - and includes the island of Lundy in the Bristol Channel / Irish Sea.
N.B. Exmoor is shared with Somerset, which has the larger share.

Understand

The name "Devon" derives from the Celtic people who inhabited the southwest of Britain at the time of the Roman invasion, the Dumnonii. Devon's flag is green, with a black and white cross.

Devon has produced tin, copper and other metals throughout its history. Tin was found in the granite of Dartmoor, and copper in the areas around the moor. In the eighteenth century, Devon Great Consols mine (near Tavistock) was believed to be the largest copper mine in the world.

Devon has the highest coastline in southern England and Wales on it's Exmoor
seaboard. The "hob-backed" hills of the Exmoor national park tumble down to
the coast on Devon's Bristol Channel coast, culminating at the awesome
"Great Hangman", a 318m (1043ft) hill with a cliff-face of 250m (820ft), while the
"Little Hangman" has a cliff-face of 218m (716ft). The best way to see these
cliffs is from a boat trip from Ilfracombe or (occasionally) Lynmouth
or Swansea; the ferry service from Penarth in South Wales to Ilfracombe also
passes by this massive coastline (see below).

Devon's Hartland point is the south-west limit of the Bristol Channel; in other
words where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic ocean. The northern
limit is St Anne's Head in Pembrokeshire, forty-eight miles from Hartland Point.

Many of the rocks that make up Devon are exceptional geological specimens consisting of the geological period between 416 million years ago and 360 million years ago. It was in homage to this that the period was called the Devonian.

Devon is unique in that it surrounded by three of the Celtic nations - Wales to the north across the Bristol Channel/Celtic Sea, Cornwall West across the Tamar Valley, while Brittany lies due south across the English Channel/Atlantic Ocean. Although not a Celtic nation in its own right, Devon netherless shares many similarities with its Celtic neighbours; Exmoor/North Devon has the same reddish-brown sandstone as found in the nearby Gower Peninsula; the granite of Dartmoor is exactly the same as found in Bodmin Moor and the Penwyth peninsula while the extrusive igneous rocks of South Devon can exactly be found in Brittany - probably because, before at one time Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Brittany and South-West Ireland were part of the same landmass. In 2007, BBC "Coast" presenter Neil Oliver travelled to Devon and Cornwall for DNA testing of West Country lineage and found that - overwhelmingly- that both Cornish and Devonians were of ancient British/Celtic stock. Like its neighbours in Wales, Ireland and Cornwall, Devon was not fully conquered by the Romans - the leigons established a dwelling in Exeter, most likely as a frontier post - but the rest of Devon was relatively untouched by the might of Rome - the wet, boggy moorland of Exmoor and Dartmoor no doubt providing an excellent barrier to the Roman war machine. This probably explains why the ancient Celtic DNA of Devon (and Cornwall) survives. Another Celtic connection is the fact, until the 20th century, the best way to travel was by sea - so, for example, it was easier for the population of North Devon to sail to the Vale of Glamorgan/ Swansea and the Gower Peninsula than to travel the dangerous, bandit ridden country lanes eastwards to Somerset and Dorset - likewise, South Devon had strong links to Brittany and South Cornwall yet the rest of Southern england, was, until the arrival of the railway/car, a distant place. Another "Celtic" connection is North Devon's surf culture found in Bideford Bay - like Ireland, Cornwall, Wales and Ireland surfing has becomne something of a cult lifestyle of the wind swept butterscotch beaches of Bideford Bay.

Exeter Castle is situated on an old volcano (volcanic rocks were used in the construction of the Roman buildings) and there are fine exposures of Limestone in Torquay.

Along with its nearby neighbours of North Cornwall and the Gower Peninsula, North Devon's magnificently curved Bideford Bay is one the top surfing attractions in the UK, mainly because just like Cornwall and Gower, Bideford Bay faces westward into the vast Atlantic Ocean. The main surf areas are the white-sand beaches of Woolacombe, Putsborough, Croyde, Staunton and Westward Ho! Croyde in particular is rated as one of the best breaks in the West Country, as at low tide it boasts fast, hollow waves - just like Fistral or Langland's Bay Crab Island. Be warned however - in the summer Croyde gets extremely congested (both beach and village) and the car parking prices can seem unreasonable in the extreme. Fortunately, nearby Woolacombe and Staunton offer plenty of parking spaces and beach space.

The larger towns and cities in Devon have small but developing lesbian and gay communities, notably in Plymouth, Torquay and Exeter. Plymouth and Exeter have annual Pride events. In the more rural areas of Devon homophobia can be common and discretion is advised.

The Devon County Council Site [5] has more information on Geological Tourism

Get in

By train

Exeter has two main train stations, St. Davids (where most long-distance services call,) and Central. Central, unsurprisingly, is closer to the centre of town, but the two are within a short walk of one another.

If visiting from Cornwall, the railway will take you across the Royal Albert Bridge from Saltash (in Cornwall) into Devon. When crossing this bridge, you will enjoy marvelous views of the River Tamar, which it crosses.

If visiting from the south, the railway line between London (Waterloo) and Exeter via Salisbury will transport you into east Devon, with connections with other parts of Devon at Exeter (St Davids station).

By road

The M5 is the only motorway to enter Devon. Coming from Bristol from the north-east, it terminates in Exeter, where it continues on as the A38 towards Plymouth and into Cornwal. It also branches off north at Exeter onto the A30 which serves North Devon via Okehampton and then carries on into Cornwall.

The M5 can get very congested during the popular holiday periods and it only takes an accident to bring the whole route to a standstill. If you are travelling to Devon by car it is recommended that you travel either early in the morning or later at night to avoid the holiday build up.

There is a once-daily Megabus service to Exeter from London Victoria (and vice versa,) but this ultra-economy service can be very uncomfortable and very late.

A park and ride service is available, see National Park and Ride Directory [6]

By boat

It is possible to travel to Ilfracombe in North Devon from Penarth and Swansea in South Wales on the paddle steamers Waverly and Balmoral. The Penarth to Ilfracombe journey is particularly scenic, as you also get to see the picturesque towns of Lynton, Lynmouth, the "Valley of the Rocks" and the awesome Great Hangman (the highest cliff in Devon at 318m). Leisurely traveling to Devon on a paddle steamer is certainly superior to driving there on the often congested M5!!! There is also a strong possibility of a fast catermaran Ilfracombe ferry [7] to Swansea in a year or two's time.

By plane

There are two principal airports in Devon.

Exeter International, is the largest airport in Devon and has regular scheduled direct flights to Paris CDG, Amsterdam, Manchester, Dublin, Aberdeen, Leeds Bradford, Belfast, Jersey, Guernsey, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Glasgow as well as charter and scheduled services to Spain. There are seasonal services from Germany, Croatia, Switzerland and regional cities in France. Most services are operated by Flybe [8] with Air France [9] codesharing on services from France. Air Transat [10] also operates a scheduled service to Toronto, Canada. [11]

Fly Fishing, ☎+44 1363 82786, [2]. The rivers around Devon have Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon. Guides can provide equipment & instruction on fly fishing for all experience levels. For Dartmoor and South Devon there is flyfishing devon [20]

Eat

The cream tea, involving scones, jam and clotted cream, is a local speciality which is thought to have originated from Tavistock over a thousand years ago [21](although neighbouring counties also claim it); in many countries, however, this combination is known as Devonshire Tea. It is also popular in Cornwall with the only real difference being the order in which it is spread. In Devon the preferred method is cream first then the jam, whereas in Cornwall it is the other way around [22]

The pasty, a filled pastry case differing from a pie in that it is made by placing the filling on a flat pastry shape, usually a circle, and folding it to wrap the filling, crimping the edge to form a seal. The result is a raised semicircular package. The traditional pasty is filled with beef, sliced potato, turnip or swede (also known as a rutabaga) and onion and then baked. The origins of the pasty are hotly contested between Devon and Cornwall with both sides claiming the fame. Either way, the pasty is a traditional West Country recipe and is worth trying if you are visiting.

South Devon Crab is regarded as some of the best in the world and its stocks are plentiful and sustainably fished. There are plenty of fantastic restaurants, cafes and pubs to try this local produce.

Drink

Cider- Really traditional Devon scrumpy (scrumpy being the name for farm cider) looks like bright orange juice with bits of apple floating in it. It is made using Devon apples, cider mills and cider presses. Traditionally, scrumpy was made using the wind fall apples. They would be bruised, and not suitable for eating or cooking. However a windfall apple is just right for scrumpy, they would not be quite ripe, so would be sharper and drier. They would have impurities from the ground, which helped fermentation. Scrumpy tends to be quite strong in alcohol and requires a certain degree of caution if you aren't used to drinking it (it can act as a laxative).

Beer - Devon is very well served for microbreweries with 29 breweries that were active in the county. The Campaign for Real Ale or CAMRA has details of Devon breweries. [24]

Gin - Plymouth Original Strength Gin is 41.2% alcohol by volume. It has a distinctively different, slightly less dry flavour than the much more commonly available London Dry Gin, as it contains a higher than usual proportion of root ingredients, which bring a more 'earthy' feel to the gin, as well as a smoother juniper hit. There is also a 'navy strength' variety available which is 57% alcohol by volume (100° English proof), being the traditional strength demanded by the British Royal Navy as this was the proof that would not prevent gunpowder from igniting, should it be compromised by spilled spirit

Sleep

Hawley Farm Holiday Lets, EX137HR, ☎+44 1404 831250 ([email protected]), [3]. Peaceful getaway in a unique secluded location. Owners were very friendly when we visited. If you're interested in farming, then they offer a free tour of different aspects of the farm (dairy, sheep, beef, arable).

Stay safe

Devon is a very safe place to live and visit. Crime levels are well below the average for England in part a reflection of Devon's rural population distribution.